Using a Freight Service How to Protect Myself as a Seller

[getitright1234]

I have a large object for sale on my other selling account and we are talking about $2000.    The buyer reports they have their own freight company they want to use.   I am needing advice on how to recreate my listing to protect myself.   What would you do to protect yourself when shipping using a Freight service?  

PS:  I am a experienced (Top Rated ) seller of 6+ years with a 100% rating, but I have never used a Freight Service for shipment.  

[luckythewinner]

If you are an experienced seller, you already know that there is almost no protection on eBay. Even without the freight company involved, the buyer could simply claim SNAD and return an empty box and you would not be protected. 

That being said ... 

Does the freight company provide online viewable delivery confirmation that is acceptable to eBay? If not, you are facing additional danger - the seller can simply file an "Item Not Received" and you will automatically lose because you do not have proof of delivery that eBay recognizes. 

The only protection comes from cash on pickup. Period. 

[lady-hnc]

There is no indication that the shipping address is a forwarder. I only discovered that it was, when the buyer had a complaint.
In talking to ebay, I was told that the forwarder address was the buyer's CONFIRMED address - it was the address they had for their bank account, therefore I was shipping to a domestic customer, not an international one; despite the requests for shipment costs to Panama.

Delivery confirmation is the same as for any domestic package. USPS provides online viewable delivery confirmation. Only after successful delivery, did I discover what was really happening.

[lady-hnc]

Oops. I have another thread on here, with the same topic. I didn't see that this was a different one.

[lewisburggold]

Keep your reciept when take to the post office.  Insure the item and do signature conformation.  Its about all we got to protect ourselves.  Best regards

[janet9988]

List is as a local pick up only. The buyer can have the freight service hand deliver the cash to you when they come pick up the item.

[plymouthsales4165]

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@getitright1234 wrote:

I have a large object for sale on my other selling account and we are talking about $2000.    The buyer reports they have their own freight company they want to use.   I am needing advice on how to recreate my listing to protect myself.   What would you do to protect yourself when shipping using a Freight service?  

PS:  I am a experienced (Top Rated ) seller of 6+ years with a 100% rating, but I have never used a Freight Service for shipment.  

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I ship items like this everyweek. Ebay will accept a pro number (freight tracking) as they can go on the shipping companies website and track it. As far as using their shipping company it is no big deal just make sure that they have online tracking. As far as shipping an empty box back, it is much less likely with a freight company then with UPS or USPS as freight companies weigh every item that they handle and most also check the D.I.M. Otherwise they are just like a UPS shipment. In your case their is one potential issue, the freight company can come back to you for shipping charges if they fail to pay their bill 

[missjen831]

If the buyer arranges freight shipping, he’s not covered by the MBG. 

But there is always paypal and a credit card chargeback. You would be better off listing for local pickup & telling the buyer you prefer cash on pickup. 

[lady-hnc]

Do u mean sell all my items as local pickup? I must be missing something - what's the advantage of that?
I think people are assuming that I knew the buyer's shipping address was a forwarder. I did not. To me, it was a domestic sale, sent USPS First Class to Florida; until I heard from the buyer, in Panama.

I now see that I should just ignore such buyers, and receive negative feedback if that's what happens. I was so worried about negatives, and apparently they mean next to nothing.

[missjen831]

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@lady-hnc wrote:
Do u mean sell all my items as local pickup? I must be missing something - what's the advantage of that?
I think people are assuming that I knew the buyer's shipping address was a forwarder. I did not. To me, it was a domestic sale, sent USPS First Class to Florida; until I heard from the buyer, in Panama.

I now see that I should just ignore such buyers, and receive negative feedback if that's what happens. I was so worried about negatives, and apparently they mean next to nothing.

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Are you the OP? Is getitright1234 your other ID? 

[janet9988]

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@lady-hnc wrote:
Do u mean sell all my items as local pickup? I must be missing something - what's the advantage of that?
I think people are assuming that I knew the buyer's shipping address was a forwarder. I did not. To me, it was a domestic sale, sent USPS First Class to Florida; until I heard from the buyer, in Panama.

I now see that I should just ignore such buyers, and receive negative feedback if that's what happens. I was so worried about negatives, and apparently they mean next to nothing.

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Please make your OWN post so you do not confuse what THIS OP is dealing with.

YOU are talking about something different...The OP is talking about a buyer using their own freight shipping service to have the item shipped from the seller to the buyer.  Never a good idea as the buyer will then be in charge of the shipping and could change the address during mid shipping and the seller will lose proof of delivery to the original shipping destination.

The OP clearly states right in their opening post..... "The buyer reports they have their own freight company they want to use."

That means the buyer wants to use their shipping comapny..otherwise  there is no need for a buyer to say anything to the seller. The buyer just supplies the address. Simple. BUT a seller gives up control if they allow the buyer to use their shipper.

NOT the same thing as a forwarder. (which you describe on YOUR posts) A freight forwarder receives the item from the seller and the freight forwarder reshipps the item to the buyer...usually over seas.

[lady-hnc]

Yes, you are right. I was having a hard time following responses, when there are so many. I twice ended up on this thread, thinking it was related to mine.  I'm sorry i got mixed up. I think i'll just go away for a while...